Male Perpetrators Research Articles

The Challenges of Working with Child Abuse and Neglect: Barriers to Disclosure and Intervention, Adverse Outcomes, and Perplexing Presentations

The Challenges of Working with Child Abuse and Neglect: Barriers to Disclosure and Intervention, Adverse Outcomes, and Perplexing Presentations

Male High School Sport Participation and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration in Adulthood

Using data from the Add Health, the authors consider whether male high school sport participation had an association with intimate partner violence perpetration into adulthood, controlling for other known predictors. Results show that sport participation is associated with a reduced risk of perpetrating intimate partner violence in adulthood, which the authors interpret as generally supportive of the deterrence hypothesis, the notion that playing sport promotes prosocial values, increases supervision, and increases bonding to conventional institutions that lower the risk of engaging in violent behavior against women. However, the inclusion of measures representing this hypothesis failed to attenuate the sport participation–intimate partner violence association, raising questions about whether the deterrence hypothesis is the appropriate explanation.

Animosity towards Women in Eudora Welty's Literary Canon

The paper investigates Eudora Welty’s concept of animosity towards women in her fiction. Her novels and short stories portray rape, sexual exhibitionism, sexual threats and brutality as inhuman experiences that sarcastically result in a vicious conversion of indignity and humiliation to the female sufferer instead of the male perpetrators. Welty suggests that this context creates a sense of intolerance which acts as a destroyer of women’s identity and sense of self. In this paper, the researchers attempt to reveal the mechanisms that subvert women’s sense of identity in a world usually controlled by men. Welty’s vision, in this sense, is that the social consciousness of the woman does not only evolve from the personal consciousness, but also intricately interacts with it. Welty’s works that are central to this study include Delta Wedding, The Robber Bridegroom, and the short fiction, including The Whole World Knows and Sir Rabbit..

Interventions directed at men for preventing intimate partner violence: a systematic review protocol

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) is a population health problem linked to a myriad of negative psychological, physical, emotional, sexual and reproductive health outcomes for women. The movement towards working with boys and men over the past couple of decades has increased the number of interventions specifically directed at men who perpetrate violence against a female partner. There is little evidence-based research on key characteristics of effective interventions directed at men to reduce or prevent IPV against female partners. The objective of this systematic review is to identify interventions specifically directed at males , as the perpetrators of violence against women, that have proven to be effective in preventing or reducing intimate partner violence.MethodsThe following electronic databases will be used to search for peer-reviewed studies: MEDLINE (OVID), Embase (OVID), PsycInfo (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), Global Health (EBSCO), Gender Watch (ProQuest), Web of Science (Web of Knowledge), PROSPERO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Database (Ovid) and SCOPUS. We will include randomized control trials, non-randomized studies of interventions published in peer-reviewed journals and relevant unpublished manuscripts, books/chapters and clinical or programme study reports. Studies have to demonstrate direction of effect (i.e. pre-post intervention/difference between groups) in terms of prevention or reduction in the outlined outcomes. Primary outcomes include change in behaviour and knowledge of male perpetrator regarding the impact of IPV on women as well as women’s experience of IPV. Secondary outcomes include change in behaviours around substance use and social activities, decrease in negative mental health outcomes and interactions with law enforcement. Studies will be screened, appraised and extracted by two reviewers; any conflicts will be resolved through discussion. Narrative synthesis will be used to analyse and present findings. If sufficient and comparable data is available, a meta-analysis will be conducted.DiscussionThis review will provide synthesized evidence on interventions directed at males to reduce or prevent their perpetration of intimate partner violence against female partners. Implications for practice will include key characteristics of interventions proven to be effective based on evidence synthesis and certainty of findings. Recommendations for further research will also be considered.Systematic review registrationThis protocol was submitted for registration in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on September 4, 2020.

POLICY BRIEF Konseling Perubahan Perilaku bagi Pelaku Kekerasan dalam Rumah Tangga dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana

This policy brief was prepared based on the results of research conducted on “Pyco-legal Aspects in Taking Action against Perpetrators of Domestic Violence in DI. Yogyakarta." This research is intended to answer, "the extent to which the opportunities for applying psycho-legal aspects through additional criminal mechanisms of behavior change counseling for perpetrators of domestic violence in the criminal justice system." based on experience in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This research is a normative-empirical legal research type with a focus on seeing the extent of behavioral change counseling opportunities for perpetrators of domestic violence in the criminal justice system. Data collection was carried out by means of a literature review, and analysis of 65 Decisions on Domestic Violence Cases in District Courts throughout DIY in 2005-2019. Data collection was also carried out through focus group discussions (Focus Group Discussion) with legal assistants, psychological assistants, service agencies, the Police, the Prosecutor's Office, District Courts, Ministry of Law and Human Rights, legal practitioners, as well as in-depth interviews (in-depth interviews), with male counselors, and male perpetrators of domestic violence, as well as experts.

Perpetrators of workplace bullying and gender discriminations experienced by women gynecologic oncologists.

11013 Background: A high prevalence of gender discrimination and harassment has been described among gynecologic oncologists (GOs). This study examined the work environment for women GOs and delineated the perpetrators of negative behaviors. Methods: An internet-based, IRB exempt survey of members of a 472-member Facebook group “Women of Gynecologic Oncology (WGO)” was conducted. Using REDcap survey platform, members provided demographics, practice infrastructure, personal experience with workplace bullying, gender discrimination, microaggressions, and outcomes. Demographic, practice and work environments and perpetrators of negative behaviors were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Between 7/20 and 8/19/2020, 250 (53%) of active WGO members participated in this survey. Most respondents were younger than 50 years old (93.6%); white (82.2%) and non-Hispanic (94.3%). A majority were married (84.7%) with children (75.2%). Practice environments included academic (152, 61.0%), private practice (31, 12.4%), and hospital employed (57, 22.9%). 89.9% supervised trainees. 130 (52.0%) respondents reported bullying, 140 (56.0%) gender discrimination, and 83% having experienced gender-based microaggressions. Age, race, ethnicity, practice setting, division director or chair gender or department reporting structure were not significantly associated with these experiences. Perpetrators of bullying, gender discrimination, and microaggressions were widely distributed (Table). Of those reporting bullying, 61 (46.6%) reported a male perpetrator, 25 (19.1%) female and 45 (34.4%) an equal gender distribution; of those reporting discrimination 105 (74.5%) reported a male perpetrator, 9 (6.4%) female and 27 (19.1%) an equal gender distribution. 32.9% of survey respondents acknowledged having been written up for speaking up in a way that would have been tolerated from a male colleague. 18.3% of respondents have changed jobs because of bullying; 13.5% because of discrimination. Conclusions: Women GOs report high rates of workplace bullying, gender discrimination, and microaggressions regardless of practice setting that often impact their careers. Perpetrators of these behaviors are multiple and varied. Proactive and deliberate interventions to improve the work environments for women GOs are urgently needed.[Table: see text]

Mothers as perpetrators and bystanders of child sexual abuse

BackgroundIn research and literature, little attention has been paid to the role of women, especially mothers, in child sexual abuse. ObjectiveIn order to estimate prevalences on mothers as perpetrators and bystanders, data was collected in a German nationwide representative survey. Participants and settingA total of 2,531 participants (53.3 % female, 14−94 years) were selected by a random route procedure and questioned with a paper-pencil-questionnaire. MethodsThe survey included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire as well as questions on the perpetrator-victim relationship, bystanders and the awareness within society on the topic of female-perpetrated child sexual abuse. Prevalences were calculated. ResultsThe prevalence of child sexual abuse (6.6 %) as well as the proportion of female perpetrators (6.6 %) determined in the current survey were low compared to the findings of previous studies. Within the group of female perpetrators, biological mothers accounted for a larger share than biological fathers in the group of male perpetrators. Among the bystanders, the biological mother was named most frequently (24.6 %). ConclusionThe general population underestimates the involvement of biological mothers in child sexual abuse. The results confirm that female perpetrators account for a rather small but substantial proportion of the perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Furthermore, the results indicate that mothers play a role in sexual abuse – either as perpetrators or as bystanders – that has been underestimated so far. It is therefore necessary to sensitize professionals and the public to the topic of female perpetrators and especially to the role of mothers in child sexual abuse.

Factors Distinguishing Reciprocal Versus Nonreciprocal Intimate Partner Violence Across Time and Reporter.

Although intimate partner violence (IPV) is often conceptualized as occurring unilaterally, reciprocal or bidirectional violence is actually the most prevalent form of IPV. The current study assessed physical IPV experiences in couples and evaluated risk and protective factors that may be differentially associated with reciprocal and nonreciprocal IPV concurrently and over time. As part of a multi-wave longitudinal study, women and men reported on the frequency of their IPV perpetration and victimization three times across the transition to parenthood. Participants also reported on risk factors related to personal adjustment, psychosocial resources, attitudes toward gender role egalitarianism, and sociodemographic characteristics at each wave. Participants were classified into one of four IPV groups (reciprocal violence, male perpetrators only, female perpetrators only, and no violence) based on their self-report and based on a combined report, which incorporated both partners' reports of IPV for a maximum estimate of violence. Women and men were analyzed separately, as both can be perpetrators and/or victims of IPV. Cross-sectional analyses using self-reported IPV data indicated that IPV groups were most consistently distinguished by their levels of couple satisfaction, across gender; psychological distress also appeared to differentiate IPV groups, although somewhat less consistently. When combined reports of IPV were used, sociodemographic risk markers (i.e., age, income, and education) in addition to couple functioning were among the most robust factors differentiating IPV groups concurrently, across gender. In longitudinal analyses, sociodemographic vulnerabilities were again among the most consistent factors differentiating subsequent IPV groups over time. Several gender differences were also found, suggesting that different risk factors (e.g., women's social support and men's emotion regulation abilities) may need to be targeted in interventions to identify, prevent, and treat IPV among women and men.

Violence Against Prostitutes and Non-prostitutes: An Analysis of Frequency, Variety and Severity.

Violence against women is a form of gender violence, and the lethal aspect of it, defined as femicide, is a global health and human rights problem.This study looked at 330 cases of femicide that occurred in North West Italy, between 1970 and 2020, committed by 303 male perpetrators. The victims included women who were prostitutes and those who were not.Findings show that only a small proportion of femicide occurs within an anonymous setting: Victims were mostly killed by a man they knew. The type and intensity of the relationship was likely to affect how the violence occurred. In those cases in which victims and perpetrators had an intimate relationship, the risk of overkill, that is, an excessive use of violence that goes further than what is necessary to cause death, was four times higher in comparison with the murder of unknown victims. As with non-prostitutes, the risk of overkill was almost fourfold for those prostitutes who knew their perpetrators. Furthermore, when comparing prostitutes with any unknown victims, the risk of being overkilled was almost five times higher for the former, suggesting that prostitutes are more at risk of being murdered with excessive violence. In addition, prostitutes were more likely to be victims of sexual murder, postmortem mutilation, and being killed by men who had previous criminal records.Women who are victims of violence are not a homogeneous group, although some of the psychosocial correlates are the same and relevance should be given to the features behind the type, intensity, and nature of the relationship between prostitutes and non-prostitutes and their perpetrators. These variables are what make violence against women a preventable problem.

Does Verbal Street Harassment Signal Perpetrator Dominance to Male and Female Observers?

It is difficult to explain why verbal street harassment, where typically a male harasser yells sexually harassing statements at a female victim, has survived as a behaviour. We propose that verbal street harassment may signal a harasser’s dominance and aimed to test this in our registered report. Participants (N = 443) read one of two vignettes describing either a street harassment incident (in which a male perpetrator harasses a female victim) or a street incident without harassment. Participants were asked to evaluate whether the male target possessed a range of traits (including dominance) and to evaluate any harm the female target suffered from the incident. Results suggested that the male target who verbally harassed a female victim on the street was perceived by participants as more dominant and as having a darker personality than a male target who did not engage in street harassment. Participants also perceived the female target as more harmed when she was harassed. However, results did not support the predicted interaction of participant sex and incident type on participants’ perceptions of the male and female targets. These results suggest that verbal street harassment may signal a harasser’s dominance which may be why the behaviour has been maintained. To establish whether verbal street meets the conditions to be classed as a costly signal, these findings should be replicated and extended. Understanding why street harassment persists as a behaviour is critical to designing effective intervention to prevent street harassment and protect harassment victims.

The continuum of symbolic violence: how sexting education neglects image-based sexual abuse, dismisses perpetrators’ responsibility, and violates rights to sexual autonomy

In the last decade there has been an increased interest in (young) people’s sexting behaviour from academia, media and other institutions which lead to the emergence of sexting safety campaigns. Sexting campaigns are often built around notions of dangers when images are shared without the consent of the person depicted. This feminist case study will critically assess the discourses of three UK educational campaigns (Exposed, Sexting, Just send it) to demonstrate how these campaigns are currently (re)producing symbolic violence through victim-blaming and are thus legitimising violence against women; the seriousness of image-based sexual abuse is neglected through the penalisation of sexual expression of particularly young women; the dominance of heteronormative depictions of female survivors and male perpetrators obfuscates abuse as an experience across all social groups; and survivors are consistently held accountable for their own victimisation while perpetrators are excused for violating their partners trust and integrity. However, by neutralising and denying responsibility, educational work dismisses 1) that image-based sexual abuse is still as a form of gender-based violence and therefore, breaches the survivor’s rights to dignity and bodily/sexual autonomy, and 2) young people’s rights to explore sexuality – through digital means or not – in a safe environment.

Perspectives on Motivation and Change in an Intervention for Men Who Use Substances and Perpetrate Intimate Partner Abuse: Findings From a Qualitative Evaluation of the Advance Intervention

Despite consistent evidence that substance use is a contributory risk factor for perpetration of intimate partner abuse (IPA), little evidence exists for effective interventions for male IPA perpetrators who use substances. The Advance intervention aimed to meet this need. This 16-week intervention addressed both IPA and substance use, and was for men accessing substance use treatment who had perpetrated IPA toward a female (ex-)partner within the last 12 months. Two key theories underpinned the intervention: goal theory and self-regulation theory. In this article, we aim to illustrate the views of men and substance use treatment staff on men’s motivations to change, the ways in which men and staff said that men had changed their behavior, and the aspects of the intervention that they reported were key in the process of change. Using framework analysis, we analyzed data from 12 men who took part in the intervention as well as 31 staff members from substance use treatment services. Our five overarching themes were personal goal setting and motivation; recognition of IPA and the substance using lifestyle; improved self-regulation; considering the impact on others; and learning together in a group. Men and staff valued having a program that integrated IPA and substance use and thought the program was unique and much needed. Moreover, our findings suggest that goal theory, self-regulation, and more broadly, motivational and strengths-based approaches with practice-based activities, may be beneficial for effecting change in the substance using perpetrator population. However, further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Overall, our findings highlight the value of using qualitative outcome measures of perpetrator programs to complement quantitative measures of impact.

Differential psychopathological profile of male intimate partner violence perpetrators depending on Problematic alcohol use

ObjectiveThis study explored the differential psychopathological profile between male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) with and without problematic alcohol use (PAU). MethodA sample of 981 men was recruited from a specialized IPV perpetrators treatment programme. All of them were assessed with the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). Comparisons between perpetrators with (n = 125) and without (n = 856) PAU on all the variables studied were carried out. ResultsPerpetrators with PAU were less frequently employed and had higher rates of previous psychiatric history and childhood family violence. Moreover, they presented with higher levels of cognitive biases about women and violence. On a psychopathological level, participants with PAU reported significantly higher scores on the SCL-90-R, on the STAXI-2, and on almost all the MCMI-III scales than did those without PAU. The multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the main variables related to PAU were as follows: higher levels of previous psychiatric history, distorted thoughts about women, depression, drug dependence, and various personality disorders (bipolar, dysthymia, antisocial, avoidant, borderline, and schizotypal); and lower scores on internal control, anger reaction, paranoid ideation, and schizoid personality disorders. DiscussionIPV perpetrators with PAU have a more severe psychopathological profile than those without PAU. Additionally, several variables along with PAU may have contributed to the development of IPV. Therefore, tailored interventions should be developed for those perpetrators with PAU.

Gender Differences in the Impact of Adolescent Maltreatment Victimization on Subsequent Sexual Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

ABSTRACT Prior research has determined that individuals with a history of maltreatment victimization during adolescence (i.e., neglect, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse prior to the age of 18) are more likely to perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) against their partners later on in the life-course. The vast majority of this understanding, however, focuses on male perpetration against female victims, relies on clinical or offender data that is not widely generalizable, and does not specifically focus on sexual IPV. As such, there is little known about the impact of adolescent maltreatment victimization on later sexual IPV perpetration among women or how this might vary according to gender. In order to bridge these gaps in the literature, the current study examined how maltreatment victimization during adolescence influenced later sexual IPV perpetration, both in general and then separately according to gender, using nationally representative data from the public sample of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Multivariate results indicated that adolescent maltreatment victimization increased one’s risk of perpetrating sexual IPV during adulthood, however this relationship was stronger for women than it was for men. The importance of these findings for future policy and research are discussed, particularly with regard to further gender-specific empirical study of sexual IPV perpetration and the development of gender-specific treatment initiatives aimed at reducing this type of offending.

Household food insecurity and its association with self-reported male perpetration of intimate partner violence: a survey of two districts in central and western Uganda

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the lifetime prevalence of male-perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV), and to assess the association with food insecurity, sociodemographic factors and health risk behaviours in Uganda...

Patriarchy-a tool for men-women subjugation-an analysis of bell hooks' 'understanding patriarchy

Patriarchy can be defined as a social organisation manifested by the supremacy of the male members in the clan or family and dependant status of female members. The concept of patriarchy incorporates all the socio-political mechanisms which replicate and exert male dominance over women. Fixating on real and perceived biological differences between the two recognised sexes, men justify their domination on the basis of an alleged biological inferiority of women. There are different models of patriarchy at different times and in different cultures and places but the lower value given to women and their roles as compared to men and their roles, remains constant in all models. But interestingly, Bell Hooks’ essay ‘Understanding Patriarchy’ completely deconstructs this very neat binary between the male perpetrator and female victim. In this essay, Bell Hooks emphasises the need to focus on the core problem of patriarchy which affects all people irrespective of their genders. Patriarchy is a disease which infect both men and women.

Heating Up Cold Cases: An Interview with Bruce Budowle on Human Identification

Heating Up Cold Cases: An Interview with Bruce Budowle on Human Identification

Male Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: A Spanish Typology.

Typological approaches in research of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) have been discussed on the basis of their validity and applicability in professional practice; yet most of the published studies on offender typologies are limited due to the use of relatively small, non-representative samples. The current study explored typologies of IPVAW perpetrators in a large-scale representative Spanish sample (n = 9,731 cases extracted from the Comprehensive Monitoring System of Gender-Based Violence Cases; VioGén System), according to classic batterer typologies proposed by Holtzworth-Munroe and Stuart (1994). To this end, the risk factors measured by the most extended Spanish police recidivism risk assessment tool (Valoración Policial del Riesgo; VPR) were used as clustering variables. Multiple correspondence analyses revealed the appropriateness of a bi-dimensional model to conceptualize IPVAW offender typologies. Our four-group solution may be described based on the levels of instability and antisociality of IPVAW offenders, as objectively measured by VPR5.0 risk indicators. Statistically significant differences between the IPVAW suggested typologies were found on all indicators, except for the presence of perpetrators younger than 24 years old and the presence of bidirectional intimate partner violence, which were equally distributed across the four groups. High instability/low antisociality (HiLa) and high instability/high antisociality (HiHa) individuals shared most risk indicators related to the aggressor's psychological instability; whereas HiHa and low instability/high antisociality (LiHa) men endorsed more antisociality indicators than statistically expected. The low instability/low antisociality (LiLa) group was characterized by the less presence of VPR risk indicators. Although the four subtypes identified in our study resembled classic typologies, we propose a new subtype, with high levels of instability and antisociality (i.e., HiHa). This work contributes to existing knowledge of the heterogeneity of these men, by providing useful typologies that can help inform prevention and treatment.

When Did I Become a Victim? Exploring Narratives of Male Childhood Sexual Abuse.

This report presents narrative data of adult men self-identifying as victims of sexual abuse occurring in childhood or adolescence (CSA). Preliminary data were derived from written public stories posted by men to the Internet (n = 90). Many of these accounts indicate same-sex sexual abuse (male victim, male perpetrator). The primary research question: "how have adult male victims of childhood sexual abuse constructed written narratives of victimization?" The men in this study who posted public narratives about their sexual abuse demonstrated evidence in of two (turmoil and taking control) of six life course themes uncovered by Draucker and Martsolf (2010). Two temporally related additional subthemes emerged within the category "taking control": during the abusive event/relationship and after abuse in adulthood. Understanding how male victims organize and make sense of the trajectory of their victim and/or survivor identity may contribute to a more integrated healing for victims. This could also shape programs for outreach and support. The result of the study would aid in the development of diagnostic tools and frameworks for interviewing abuse victims who are not publicly presenting or formally reporting their stories.

Intimate Partner Violence, Psychopathy, and Recidivism: Do Psychopathic Traits Differentiate First-time Offenders from Repeated Offenders?

ABSTRACT The current study analyzes the relation between psychopathic traits and the four facets of psychopathy (i.e., interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial) and general and intimate partner violence (IPV) recidivism. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and the Marital Violence Inventory (IVC) were completed by a sample of 279 male perpetrators of IPV who were retrospectively classified as general repeated offenders versus first-time offenders and IPV repeated-offenders versus IPV first-time offenders. Four separate binary logistic regression analyses were conducted controlling for age and criminal and abuse variables. PCL-R total scores and the antisocial facet were positively correlated with general repeated offenses, despite criminal history showing higher associations with general recidivism. For IPV repeated offenders, PCL-R antisocial facet and criminal history were statistically significant, being the last one the variable that presents higher association with IPV recidivism. These results support the role of criminal history as an important variable for repeated offenses.